Martin Sp dissapointment

[JohnnyRebKy]

Hello all. I picked up a new d28 a while back which i posted about previously. So, im in my first string change. I put some Martin Sp Bluegrass gauge on it, phosper bronze mediums. I have to say im dissapointed with them. At first they were really metallic sounding. The metalish metallic sound drounded out the sound of the guitar. The first few strings were very bright too which i have no problem with. I might also add the bluegrass gauge is a hair larger on the 5th and 4th string for added volume, and louder they were. But, it was a increased volume in that awfull metallic sound. So i figured i would give them a chance and break them in good. At the end of 48 hours they finally began to loose that metallic sound, and played quite wonderfull. Nice warm tone and plenty of treble. Now at day 4 they seem to be going drab and flat. Yes i wipe my strings and take top care of my instruments. I personally wont be using Martin Sp strings anymore. Took 2 days to settle them down and work that warm martin tone out of them, and once i got it...it didnt last long. I guess the Elixer nanowebs in PB are going on next.

[wmsimpson]

You should try a set of 80/20 bronze. To me, 80/20s sound warmer and let the tone of the wood come through. Phosphor Bronze sound too metallic.

[JohnnyRebKy]

Thanks i may try them. I got the pb to warm up and the metallic went away, but the sweet warm tone didnt last long before they sounded dead and flat. But yes i may try some 80/20 before i totally abondon martin strings

[Stuco]

That sounds about right. Strings start to go dead after about 4-7 days but I think they sound good enough to stay for about a month. If you don't like changing them, I'd suggest trying some coated sets. They don't have quite the sparkle of an uncoated string but they get close and can last months and still sound pretty darn good. I've had good luck with DR and D'Addario's coated sets.

[DuncanAngus]

I love Martin guitars, never, ever liked their strings.

To my ear, a big Martin Dead needs Meds, minimum... I like the good old Daddario PB mediums. Gonna sound really bright at first, but that'll fade to a mellow. They don't last long and if you play a lot, they'll be gone faster. Some people LOVE the sound of these strings loaded up with nasty old finger bacon and dead. They're like your favorite cheap beer: Dependable, available, keeps you regular...

[eddie knuckles]

Phosphor Bronze the day before the gig. Play the gig, and sound wonderful. By the end of your 3rd or 4th set, your strings are now dead....

Welcome padawan...

[tooncaster]

I was using the Martin Marquis 92/8s for a while, then experimented with 80/20s in medium and light guages. I think I'll go back to the Marquis - more bass and more treble where it counts. Very full sounding to my ears. Mind you, I'm not playing them on a Martin guitar, but a Takamine.

[JohnnyRebKy]

Originally Posted by Stuco

That sounds about right. Strings start to go dead after about 4-7 days but I think they sound good enough to stay for about a month. If you don't like changing them, I'd suggest trying some coated sets. They don't have quite the sparkle of an uncoated string but they get close and can last months and still sound pretty darn good. I've had good luck with DR and D'Addario's coated sets.

Yes sir ive always used the coated elixers on my alvarez, and had a laminate dx model martin. Always sounded great on them. I just always heard the preachin about how coated strings are a no no on a top notch d28 or other martin. And the sps sounded great after i beat the mettalic outta them , but the good that
Came outta them was short lived. And to the above, i always use mediums on my geetars :) so anyhow the trusty nano elixers are next. Will update soon!

[Warren Pederson]

I use Martin SP 80/20 12's but I swap out the wound G string with a plain 20 gauge. You have to go to a way lighter gauge string going from wound to plain. It's a lot of solid wire. You won't find an exact replacement, the new G string will be plain nickle instead of that bronzey/brass colored Martin set. Lasts way longer, sounds awesome.

[blue metalflake]

Originally Posted by JohnnyRebKy

..... I guess the Elixer nanowebs in PB are going on next.

I tried that a few years back, and am hooked. That's your answer.

[krisls]

I play probably 70% acoustic and my first serious one was a very pretty K Yairi D28 take off. I used GHS Vintage Bronze lights for a couple of years then settled on Dad Custom Lights which I still use. It sounds though, as someone else suggested, that you might be happier with 80/20s in whatever gauge grabs you. They have a nice earthy sound but a bit smoother than Phos Br and tend to last a bit longer. Ya just gotta try a few.

Kristina

[Bill Ashton]

Try the new Martin strings with the Cleartone technology. Very, very nice, especially if your are looking for clear string separation...very piano-like.

Got the 80/20's put on my Gibson J-30 free at a clinic, after a few days they wounded too bright to me on that guitar and moved them over to my Guild D55...wow! Brightened up the bass heavy sound better than GHS Bright Bronze.

They also don't seem to have the very stiff feel of the typical Martin strings. I don't think they are rebranded Cleartones. After a month and a half on the D55, still bright and piano-like.

[SamClemons]

One consideration is use. What does not sound particularly good sitting in your house, may sound great with a bluegrass band, cutting through the mix, or through a microphone. Most of the bluegrass guys I know, and I play with some, want the loudest, brightest guitar they can get. Not particularly pleasant for a parlor. I always thought the same about a marshall and a Les paul. Not a bedroom setup, but great cranked with a band.

[Bill Ashton]

Sam, you are ablsolutely right! Found that phenominon with RED Brand strings...bright, nasaly, sounded like I was playing a mountain dulcimer...but across the room with another playing they sounded full and just great (this with my Guild GAD30 and same with a friend's RTaylor). So, ya gotta decide who you are playing for!

[Colt W. Knight]

Martin strings are the quickes to die in my experience. I typically use Dadario bluegrass gauge acoustic strings. However, my favorites were black diamond black coated mediums.

[JohnnyRebKy]

Loud and bright isnt a problem. Loud and sounding like a tin can is lol. There is no way i woulda played them at a bluegrass jam sounding like that. If id beat them to death for 2 days before, then yes

[Chiogtr4x]

Originally Posted by blue metalflake

I tried that a few years back, and am hooked. That's your answer.

Wonderful rich string, I have Elixir PB lights on my Washburn D-28 and mediums on the Martin and get just a great tone- warm and bright at the same time.

I played a classic country Farmer's Market gig (completely unplugged) Saturday AM (playing stuff I would normally play on a Tele), and then a "plugged in", more bluegrass style gig Saturday night (bar gig with just a mando player). Just fantastic "almost Doc Watson" (with broken fingers) kind of tone...These strings are magic- Martin strings are stiff and just don't give. D'Addario's coated strings lasted NO longer than their regular strings (my experience) and now by comparison, a regular (non-coated string, I like D'Ads, GHS, Pearse PB's...) just does not last.

Elixir making a Nano PB string really solved a problem, IMO

[johnnykf]

I like D'addario's, uncoateds last almost as long as the coateds for me. I won't spend thousands on a USA made Martin and put their short life Mexican made strings on it. Just the principle of the thing

[Chiogtr4x]

Originally Posted by johnnykf

I like D'addario's, uncoateds last almost as long as the coateds for me. I won't spend thousands on a USA made Martin and put their short life Mexican made strings on it. Just the principle of the thing

As a longtime D'Addario user (I now do use the Elixir nano PB's) I remember trying out the coated (EXP?) D'Ads when they first came out as they were phosphor bronze just like their regular strings, but honestly, they lasted no longer, so I just switched back till years later I tried the Elixirs mainly as I needed a string that did not make as much string noise ("quiet lounge" solo gigs...), not knowing how much I would love these strings. Between the rich tone, longevity, the lack of string squeak/ease of play all over the fingerboard- I can't ever see going back!

[bradpdx]

Back in 1982 I saw Norman Blake play in Pasadena, and helped him carry his fabulous old Martins back to the bus. He told me he used D'Addarios, and then offered this advice, verbatim:

"You know what are the best sounding strings in the world? Martin Marquis. For about 20 minutes."

He was right, too.

Me, I use Elixir Nanoweb Phosphor Bronze lights (.012 - .053) on both Martins.